In Scenario Action #2, which statement correctly describes meconium passage timing?

In Scenario Action #2, which statement correctly describes meconium passage timing?

• A. Meconium is green and sticky. It should be passed in the first 24-48 hours.
• B. Around day 3, the bowel movements will turn from greenish brown to yellowish brown.
• C. Bowel movements will become yellow to golden and pasty in consistency around the fourth day.
• D. Bowel movements will stay greenish brown for the first week.

Answer: (A)

Meconium is the newborn’s first stool and is characteristically thick, green-black, tarry, and sticky. It should be passed within the first 24 to 48 hours after birth. This timing is a normal sign that the infant’s gastrointestinal tract is functioning and that there isn’t a delay in passage. After meconium is passed, stools transition in color and consistency—turning greenish-brown and then yellow-gold and pasty as feeding begins to influence digestion. So describing meconium as green and sticky and noting passage within the first 24–48 hours matches the expected pattern for newborns. If meconium hasn’t passed by about 48 hours, that would warrant further assessment.

Meconium is the newborn’s first stool and is characteristically thick, green-black, tarry, and sticky. It should be passed within the first 24 to 48 hours after birth. This timing is a normal sign that the infant’s gastrointestinal tract is functioning and that there isn’t a delay in passage. After meconium is passed, stools transition in color and consistency—turning greenish-brown and then yellow-gold and pasty as feeding begins to influence digestion. So describing meconium as green and sticky and noting passage within the first 24–48 hours matches the expected pattern for newborns. If meconium hasn’t passed by about 48 hours, that would warrant further assessment.